The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-13
WHAT THE PREACHERS SAY
DR.. Benton's Advice to Butler Graduates
About Choosing Their Pursuits.
Rev. X. v. Hunter Reviews the Labor Move
ment and Discusses Its Future bserv-
ance of Children's Day-0ther Services.

One feature Of commencement time which has
existed for scores of years. and which the limo
vations of recent days have failed to dislodse
from Its veEerated position, is the baccalaureate
sermon. Class day may be public or private. or
abolished altogether; the whole class may speak
on commencement day, or only few; honors
may be awarded or not, but the baccalaureate
sermon always comes round. Yesterday after
noon was eminently suitable for the audi
ence and speaker at Butler University.
This was DIR. Bentons first address to his aradu-
aring class since the present administration com
menced A large NUMBER of friends from the
city attended The seventeen members of 'S7
were nearly all present, and looked as if the
sermon were being delivered entirely and ex-
clusively to them.
In addition TO the congregational singing, a
quartet, consisting of Messrs. Cans and Fill
more and Misses Thrasher and Cans, accom-
panied by Mr.. Kuntz, rendered the anthem
Holiness Becometh Thy House At o'clock
President Benton appeared on the stage. accom-
panied by j. M. Tilford, ID. r. Van Buskirk. of
the Third Christian Church. E. j. Gantz, of the
Central Church. aud Elder L. H. Jameson.
After the invocation, by Elder Van Buskirk. aud
the anthem, came the sermon.
The President said that there was much sharp
transition in the lives of men, and that this was
nowhere better shown than in the case of those
who are suddenly called from the quiet secluslon
OF study to face the stern and bitter realities of
he To break the suddenness of this change.
appointment nothing is more fitting
than few words of advice This
no proceeded to give them, taking for
his text oaul's words. Lord. what wilt thou
have me to dor He spoke first of the seeming
mysterious providence-that which the ancients
called destiny or fate-which calls to this
vocation or that He then showed how neces-
sary 1t was to have purpose in view in choos-
ing and pursuing q vocation-a vocation which
he called divine
The question what shall I dol" was cousid-
cred in detail All callings, he said. open
10 men. but prudential considerations, intel
Iectual inclination, and immediate surroundings
frequently close many. He first recommended
dwelling strongly on it's dangers some. No
calling should be entered upon simply because
IL IS easy. Usefulness to the world and per-
sonal honor are TO be considered more than
mere convenience He spoke OF the perilous
period of indecision which comes to the newly
graduated Intellectual aptitude and natural
taste are guides that rarely lead amiss
Inat these are lacking however, is great
misfortune, for man is a creature of adaptable
lty and versatility Continued indecision, he
SAID, is the paralysis of the soul Decision in
some way should be made soon, and ones own
moral needs chiefly regarded AS one who dis
regarded this latter Injunction, Aaron Burr was
cited; as one who regarded it, Washington was
mentioned These few words of advice and
counsel, he said, might seem to remove only a
few OF the difficulties IN the way The field is
so wide, and human capabilities wonderful,
that If one keeps these righteous purposes in
view. success is almost to come. Material
success alone, however, should not be regarded.
Self-reliance. patience and truss in God are the
allies of distinction. These, coupled with good
abilities, will win this distinction. With O few
Kindly and earnest words of exhortatlcn, the
farewell to tho graduates was spoken.
The Philokurian exhibition occurs tonight at
3 o'clock. The entire senior class will speak on
commencement day.